In September 2026 the domestic used printing press market continued to heat up, but supply and demand are clearly diverging. Industry statistics put 2025 domestic used press turnover above RMB 8 billion, with Heidelberg machines accounting for more than 40 percent, as high-end packaging and short-run personalised work keep pulling equipment renewal. At the same time, quality low-impression used machines have become scarce: European supply is shrinking, domestic factories are reluctant to sell, and good machines are reserved for viewing as soon as they arrive.
- Classic models such as the Heidelberg CD74/XL75 and SM74 remain the mainstay, suited to cartons, brochures and UV work.
- Overseas quality supply is clearly interrupted, with European top-specification low-impression units thinning year by year.
- Established domestic printers generally hold on to machines in sound condition, so the installed supply only shrinks.
- Tighter environmental rules are accelerating the retirement of old, energy-hungry equipment, making green and digital keywords central to buying.
- Buyers are paying more attention to genuine impression counts, refurbishment history and long-term parts availability.
1. Market size keeps growing, Heidelberg still leads
By brand, Heidelberg holds more than 40 percent of the used offset market, followed by Komori, MAN Roland and KBA. In the second half of 2026 packaging printers are concentrating demand for classics such as the CD102, XL75 and SM74 to cover peak-season capacity. At the same time the convergence of digital and conventional offset is visible, with some buyers looking at hybrid solutions that can take UV or digital print heads.
2. Scarce quality machines are the biggest pain point
The sharpest contradiction in the market is that poor machines are plentiful while good ones are hard to find. European printers are slowing their replacement cycles, and most units reaching the market are high-impression, heavily worked machines, while sound domestic presses are simply not released. A low-impression, factory-serviced press with no major overhaul is often reserved by several factories before it is even listed, which visibly narrows the room for negotiation.
3. Green transition and compliance risk side by side
As environmental rules tighten, old equipment without domestic environmental certification, or with excessive energy consumption, faces rectification or even production bans. Buyers increasingly weigh energy efficiency, emission compliance and sustainable parts supply alongside price. Overseas purchases also carry customs, compliance and service response risks, so suppliers with physical warehousing and refurbishment capability are preferable.
Conclusion: In September 2026 the used press market is expanding in scale while upgrading in structure. Buyers who want a quality low-impression machine must plan ahead and decide quickly; sellers will compete on refurbishment, warranty and parts systems. We advise buyers to verify genuine impression counts, cylinder wear and electrical condition during inspection, and to avoid low-price traps.
